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What's New?

© Diana Morgan

Besides the year? Well, as usual, quite a bit. As I sit here reflecting on 2000 years of modern history, I wonder at the ingenuity of horticultural science that manages to create hundreds of new plants every year. My own alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, is responsible for many of them.

Each year at this time I review a selection of the newest introductions, gleaning the hardiest, earliest and most rugged plants, suitable for our northern New England climate. All the sources listed in this column are located in New England, most in northern NE. So, with great fanfare, here are some of the newcomers to the garden scene for 2001.

"Tenderlake", an early Blue Lake type of bush bean, matures in only 53 days. Offered by Johnny's Seeds, http://www.johnnyseeds.com this tender, flavorful bean freezes and cans well.

"Money", a new/old dried bean, hails from England. This early heirloom matures in 95 days to speckled kidney type beans suitable for baking or soups. Available from Vermont Bean Seed Company. http://www.vermontbean.com

Another "new" heirloom bean, "Amish Knuttle", matures in 100 days. The clever and space-saving Amish developed it to grow up cornstalks. A very pretty grayish bean with tiny dark red speckles, it is also offered by Vermont Bean Seed.

Johnny's Seeds offers two new varieties of mini cabbages, "Gonzales" http://www.superseeds.com and "Arrowhead". Both mature in 66 days, making them an excellent choice for northern gardeners. These small-headed cabbages, developed for high-density plantings, can be spaced as close as 8". They mature early enough for succession planting.

Imagine a carrot so healthy it's named "Nutri-Red"! This beautiful carrot contains the antioxidant, lycopene, and is best eaten cooked rather than raw. The deep red color and sweet flavor intensify with cooking. Offered by Pinetree Seeds and Vermont Bean.

If you like white corn, the new variety "Seneca Sensation" is for you. Extra early, 70 days, this sugar-enhanced corn exhibits excellent cold tolerance and high emergence rates. Try growing it with Amish Knuttle beans! Offered by Pinetree Seeds.

"Sugar Sprint", the first true stringless snap pea, bears on 2-3 foot vines that need support. Maturing in 62 days it's available from Cook's Garden. http://cooksgarden.com

"Monoco" is Vermont Bean's 2001 Pea of the Year. Maturing in only 57 days, this extremely productive pea sports 2-3 pods per node. Compact 20-24" plants need no support.

Pinetree offers a rather unique potato for the first time this year, "Gilroy", which can be grown from seed. Talk about a seed potato! I've no idea how this one will do, but for the cost of a 0.95-cent seed packet, it's worth a try. The concept is intriguing. Apparently, you start them indoors like tomatoes and transplant. They mature in 100 days from planting.